Srinagar July 10 (KNS): On a complaint filed by Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement through its Chairman Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat , the National Green Tribunal has sought a report from Deputy Commissioner / Collector Baramulla , J&K Pollution Control Board and JK Wetlands Conservation Authority (which is yet to be constituted in J&K)
The four member bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) headed by Chairperson Adarash Kumar Goel on Thursday issued a notice to Jammu & Kashmir Government through seeking a report on the alleged dumping of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by Municipal Council (MC) Sopore at Ninglee wetland in Tarzoo area which part of Wullar lake and located just adjacent to river Jehlum.
In a statement issued to KNS, Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat had sent a complaint to NGT some time back seeking its intervention over the illegal dumping of municipal solid waste by MC Sopore from March onwards. He had in past filed a petition also in NGT seeking its intervention to stop illegal waste dumping by Municipal Committee Bandipora. In that petition petitioner had sought intervention of NGT to protect Hokersar & Kreenchu Chandhara wetlands as well located in Budgam and Pamore areas respectively. The said case is listed before NGT next month.
In the fresh case Dr Raja Muzaffar had alleged that Municipal Council Sopore with the support of District Administration Baramulla is illegally dumping municipal solid waste in Ninglee Tarzoo area from the last 4 months which is part of Wullar lake.
“ The Dumping municipal solid waste around Ningli Tarzoo is like committing a murder of nature and legitimizing this officially by Municipal Council Sopore and District Administration Baramulla. This is violation of wetland conservation rules 2017 and Solid waste management rules 2016. Govt has constructed several tourist huts near this area spending more than 5 crores. How can authorities be so callous We are thankful to NGT for coming to rescue of Wullar lake once again” said Dr Raja Muzaffar
“Grievance in this application is that there is dumping of municipal solid waste in Wullar lake around Ningli Tarzoo in Baramulla District in J&K. The lake in question is a wetland and a Ramsar site and is thus an eco-sensitive area. Dumping of waste is not only a violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 but also Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. In view of the allegation and the photographs annexed, we find it necessary to require a factual and action taken report from the Member Secretary, State Wetland Authority, Collector Baramulla and the State Pollution Control Board before the next date. The State PCB will be the nodal agency for co-ordination and compliance. A copy of this order along with the application be sent to the Member Secretary, State Wetland Authority, Collector Baramulla and the State Pollution Control Board “ reads the NGT order dated 8.7.2020. The case is again listed before NGT on October 15th 2020 (KNS)